Arjuna Chooses Grace

December 9, 2006

" Before the Mahabharata battle began, Lord Krishna gave Arjuna and

Duryodhana a choice. Krishna told them, 'I can give My entire army

to one of you but I will not come. Or, I can come without any

weapons as your charioteer and My army will help your foe. Which do

you choose, Me or My army?' Without hesitation Arjuna said, 'I want

you, Lord. You alone are enough. I do not need the army.'

" Now within the battle itself, Arjuna had a fight with Karna who was

a far superior archer. Intending to severe Arjuna's head, Karna shot

a divine missile. Lord Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, foresaw this

great karmic danger coming towards Arjuna. Immediately, the

compassionate Lord made the five horses

kneel down and pushed the chariot wheels a few inches down into the

earth by pressing hard with his big toe. This made the arrow take

away Arjuna's crown without injuring any part of his body.

" There are a few points to remember regarding this story. First, the

Lord was Arjuna's charioteer. This means that Arjuna chose the Lord

to be the one to hold the reigns of his life's chariot. Arjuna knew

how to discriminate. He chose the Divine Lord alone to help him.

That makes a big difference. The Grace of the Lord lets the karmic

arrow pass over your head, maybe destroying an insignificant crown

or something similar, but saving you from a fatal mishap.

" Second, Duryodhana and the Kauravas were a much bigger and better

army than Arjuna and the Pandavas. They had many great warriors and

were stronger in every way. Duryodhana and his army represent human

power and strength without the aspect of Grace. Thus, as a result of

their arrogance, wickedness, and egotism, the Kauravas were ruined.

However, Arjuna and the Pandavas were able to win the battle through

effort coupled with the Grace of the Lord. "

GOMU <gokulmuthu

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